Bentleigh Greens are the latest side through to the Westfield FFA Cup round of 32 after a big win over South Melbourne on Tuesday night.
In a blockbuster clash between two of Victoria’s biggest PS4 NPL clubs, the Greens showed their cup quality by surging to an emphatic 4-0 win.
Both these sides are no strangers to the Westfield FFA Cup, with Bentleigh making the semis in the inaugural year of the competition, while South Melbourne were in the round of 32 last year.
With a spot in this year’s competition on the line, it was a typically spirited and end-to-end clash played in front of a healthy crowd at Kingston Heath.
An even contest in the first half swung the home side’s way eight minutes before the break after a strong run by Tyson Holmes ended with a South defender putting into his own net.
It was the start of a horror period for South, with the game slipping out of their grasp within the first 11 minutes of the second half.
First Bentleigh doubled their lead eight minutes after the resumption after Chris Lucas kept his feet after an excellent run, squaring the ball to Holmes who lashed it into the net.
Then three minutes later South were reduced to 10 men as Michael Eager was sent off for a second bookable offence.
With their numerical advantage and plenty of space going forward as the visitors chased the game, the Greens made it count as Lucas added a third on the hour mark.
Bentleigh then capped a memorable night for the club with a fourth seven minutes from time, with skipper Wayne Wallace heading in Ryan Paczkowski’s excellent cross.
While it was disappointment for South Melbourne, Bentleigh are in the draw for the round of 32 and are back on the national stage after making the last four in 2014.
Meanwhile, Adelaide Comets are the first side through to the final in South Australia after a come-from-behind 2-1 win over Cumberland United at Adelaide Shores.
A cup shock looked on the cards early as second-tier United took the lead through Lewis May.
But the Comets eventually settled into the contest, equalising just prior to the break from Evan Kostopoulos before Theo Balomenos scored the winner 20 minutes from time.
The Comets will face the winner of tonight’s (Wed) second semi-final between MetroStars and Croydon Kings for a spot in the round of 32.
There are two more games in Victoria tonight as well, with Hume City taking on Richmond FC at ABD Stadium, while Melbourne Knights host Port Melbourne Sharks at Knights Stadium.
